ATLAS LABS A-9 User manual

A-9 Antenna
Installation Guide
October 2016
Installation Guide
A-9 Antenna
LTE, GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth Multi-Band Antenna

Copyright Notice
©2012 to 2016 Atlas Labs LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Atlas Labs reserves the right to modify the equipment, its specification, or this manual without prior notice,
in the interest of improving performance, reliability, or servicing. At the time of publication all data is correct
for the operation of the equipment at the voltage and/or temperature referred to. Performance data
indicates typical values related to the particular product.
No part of this documentation or information supplied may be divulged to any third party without the
express written consent of Atlas Labs. Products offered may contain software which is proprietary to Atlas
Labs. The offer or supply of these products and services does not include or infer any transfer of ownership.

1. Table of Contents
1. Table of Contents................................................................................................................................................................ 3
1. Product Overview............................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1. Cellular Network Support........................................................................................................................................5
1.2. MIMO (Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output)...................................................................................................5
2. Vehicle Installation............................................................................................................................................................. 6
2.1. Antenna Placement ....................................................................................................................................................7
2.1.1. Coax Cable Lengths............................................................................................................................................8
2.2. Ground Plane ................................................................................................................................................................ 9
3. Antenna Mounting........................................................................................................................................................... 10
4. Appendix A – Service & Support................................................................................................................................ 11
4.1. Product Warranty, RMA and Contact Information ..................................................................................... 11
4.1.1. RMA Request..................................................................................................................................................... 11
4.1.2. Product Documentation................................................................................................................................ 11
4.1.3. Technical Support ............................................................................................................................................ 11

Antenna Installation Guide | Page 4
1. Product Overview
The Atlas Labs A-9 antenna is a space-saving, high performance, multi-band antenna designed for vehicular
use. The A-9 incorporates specialized antenna elements for cellular, GPS, and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth frequencies
in a single low-profile, sealed enclosure.
Figure 1. The Atlas Labs A-9 antenna combines cellular LTE, GPS, and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antennas in a low
profile, sealed enclosure.
Common applications include deployment of
•Vehicle cellular routers and modems
•Mobile DVR and dash cameras
•Laptop and tablet docking stations with external antennas
•Location-aware two-way radios
•Bluetooth Access Points
A-9 antennas are typically sold in pairs to accommodate MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output)
requirements for high bandwidth RF transmitters such as cellular LTE data devices.

Antenna Installation Guide | Page 5
1.1. Cellular Network Support
The A-9 supports operation on the major US cellular network bands for
•Sprint
•Verizon Wireless
•AT&T Wireless
•T-Mobile
•US Cellular
The A-9 may be used with a wide variety of cellular technologies including, but not limited to LTE,
HSPA/HSPA+, UMTS, EV-DO, GSM, and CDMA.
1.2. MIMO (Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output)
When used with 4G/LTE or other high bandwidth devices, two A-9 antennas should be used per transmitter
with each A-9 mounted a minimum of 17 inches apart (based on single wavelength separation at 700 MHz)
to meet MIMO requirements.
Because the A-9 combines both cellular and Wi-Fi elements, two A-9 antennas will satisfy MIMO
requirements for both the cellular and Wi-Fi connections of most cellular modems and routers.
Use of a single antenna is not recommended for high bandwidth (LTE and Wi-Fi) equipment and may
result in signal degradation.
For proper operation, MIMO antennas should be of equivalent design. Do not mix different antenna
types when used in a MIMO configuration.

Antenna Installation Guide | Page 6
2. Vehicle Installation
Antenna placement is critical to achieving optimal RF (radio-frequency) performance. When planning
vehicle installations, the following considerations should be made:
•Mount antennas as high as possible on the vehicle, away from other antennas and with minimal
obstruction on all sides.
•Keep coax cable length to a minimum. Longer cable runs result in added signal loss and therefore
less signal transmitted to the antenna.
Significant cable length reductions may be achieved by positioning the modem or radio equipment
closer to the antenna’s mounting location. Preference should almost always be given to extending
power or Ethernet cables over extending antenna coax cables.
•Use physically identical antennas for MIMO or dual antenna installations for best signal quality.
•Maintain at least 17” inch separation between antennas for best signal quality.
•Mount antennas 17” or further from roof edges for best omni-directional pattern.
•Orient antennas vertically by mounting them on a horizontal or near horizontal surface. Antennas
mounted at extreme angles will suffer considerable signal degradation.
•Ensure antennas are mounted to a metallic surface (also known as a ground plane) with clean
electrical contact between the mounting surface and the antenna mounting nut.

Antenna Installation Guide | Page 7
2.1. Antenna Placement
Optimal placement is along the centerline of the roof (Figure 1) or in parallel columns down the length of the
vehicle (Figure 2), in a position resulting in the shortest cable length possible. Maintain at least 17”
separation between antennas.
Figure 2. Optimal antenna placement. Mounting in highlighted area provides best omni-directional
performance.
While less of a concern for sedans and SUVs, antenna and equipment placement in some vehicles such as
ambulances, buses, fire apparatus, and other specialty vehicles require careful planning to avoid excessive
coax cable runs.
Interior electrical cabinets are often well suited for radio/modem equipment placement due to their close
proximity to cable pathways, elevated positions (closer to roof), environmental protection, and convenient
access to electrical connections.

Antenna Installation Guide | Page 8
Figure 3. Antennas positioned on parallel columns along the vehicle’s longitudinal axis allow increased
antenna density while maintaining optimal RF characteristics. Color indicates MIMO antennas (i.e. blue for
cellular antennas, orange for GPS antennas, and purple for WiFi antennas).
For installations requiring more than a few antennas, optimal placement may be along parallel columns
aligned to the length of the vehicle. For MIMO/dual antennas positioned directly opposite of each other
(with respect to the centerline), this placement elongates the signal pattern for longer reach in the forward
and reverse directions. Such a pattern benefits vehicles operating in rural areas where cell towers may focus
their signal along highways.
2.1.1. Coax Cable Lengths
To minimize coax cable length, antennas and equipment should be positioned in relative proximity to each
other with cables routed along the shortest path between the two so as to minimize signal loss along the
cable. Use the shortest length allowing enough distance for service loops at both the antenna and
modem/radio.
Low-loss feed cables may be obtained from Atlas Labs at various lengths, enabling installers to minimize
cable runs without the necessity of specialty crimping tools.

Antenna Installation Guide | Page 9
2.2. Ground Plane
Transmitting antennas require an electrically conductive ground plane to allow proper signal propagation.
Typically the vehicle’s metal frame functions as the ground plane, however some vehicles such as RVs,
buses, and ambulances with fiberglass roofs will need a separate ground plane plate.

Antenna Installation Guide | Page 10
3. Antenna Mounting
The A-9 is a through-hole antenna, suitable for mounting on surfaces up to 3/8” thick. To install the A-9,
perform the following:
1. Select appropriate position on vehicle roof ensuring clearance from obstructions and adequate
distance from other antennas. Verify roof underside is clear of wires, cables, support posts, or other
obstructions.
See Figure 2 and Figure 3 for recommended placement.
2. Use center punch to create starting point for drill. This will prevent drill bit from “walking” as hole is
drilled.
3. Place ½” bit at center punched position and drill through roof, using drilling or cutting oil where
necessary for metallic surfaces.
4. For metallic surfaces, use sandpaper to expose bare metal on underside of roof where lock washer
and nut will contact surface.
5. Secure antenna to roof with lock washer and nut. Optional fender washer may be used when
mounting in holes larger than ½”.
Figure 4. A-9 antenna mounted to surface (cables not pictured). Fender washer may be used to correct for
pre-existing or inadvertently drilled holes larger than ½” in diameter.